With the tragedy going on in Houston, I dont want anyone to forget the sailors we have lost in the last 2 months. I didnt know how it would hit home until I read my son's FB page this morning. He is currently stationed on the USS Ronald Reagan out of Yokuska Japan.This photo was taken while he was attending ET C school. He is pinning on Johns crows that Make him ET3 John Hoagland. Some might have caught on already, but encase of a delay, John was one of the young men lost on the USS John Mc Cain and he was my sons friend. Below is a picture of my son pinning the crows on, and below is the tribute he left to his friend. I have been in touch with Johns mom and offered for me to do anything she needs....anything at all. It floored me when she said that Dan is a wonderful young man and that John thought the world of him.

I just wanted to slow things down while we are training for tests or getting ready for hunting season. Was hoping to reflect on the simple things in life and how fast you can loose someone. My heart hurts for Johns mom, but my heart breaks thinking about the pain my son is feeling......must be feeling.

Click to enlarge photo

John Hoagland, when I was on deployment you told me ,with a lot of excitement, that our favorite band came out with a new album. You proceeded to tell me about the song roman skies by avenge sevenfold and honestly the lyrics to this song got me in tears brother :

"As the embers rose through the Roman skyTell me were you calm when they took your life?Just before you go, tell us how the heavens flowWeightless evermore, as you walk beyond that doorShine forever trueShared with us the world well before your timeThough they took your voice words forever shineJust before you go, tell us how the heavens flowWeightless evermore, as you walk beyond that doorShine forever trueAs they spoke your fate a fearless man replied"As you will sentence me, your fear is beyond mine"Just before you go, tell us how the heavens flowWeightless evermore, as you walk beyond that doorShine forever true"

Born by the crest of the tide and rocked by the deep. Rest easy brother I'll see you again soon enough. There's no need to worry I've got the watch. — with John Hoagland.

Thanks allThe boy is pretty tough and a "it is what it is" kinda thinker. He is upset, but appears to be keeping it together.

The military needs to pull their heads out of their asses. If a tanker can hit 2 destroyers, what next a torpedo or missiles to. It isnt just the NAV, the Army and MArines have has a fair share of air disasters. What is going on? Is this what we get when you get people joining the MIL. to get their sex change operations?.....We have little Kimmy in North Korea shooting roman candles of the top of Northern Japan.....my kid is just south of there. How does Japan not react to this threat, why do we have to be the asses and do the dirty work for everyone else....and at what cost.Sorry, Just frustrated. It scares me to think of where we will be in the next couple years.....or sooner.

SMAbby wrote:Thanks allThe boy is pretty tough and a "it is what it is" kinda thinker. He is upset, but appears to be keeping it together.

The military needs to pull their heads out of their asses. If a tanker can hit 2 destroyers, what next a torpedo or missiles to. It isnt just the NAV, the Army and MArines have has a fair share of air disasters. What is going on? Is this what we get when you get people joining the MIL. to get their sex change operations?.....We have little Kimmy in North Korea shooting roman candles of the top of Northern Japan.....my kid is just south of there. How does Japan not react to this threat, why do we have to be the asses and do the dirty work for everyone else....and at what cost.Sorry, Just frustrated. It scares me to think of where we will be in the next couple years.....or sooner.

whenever I get frustrated with the way things are going, I always look to our military and law enforcement to reassure me....even though things seem like they are going haywire, I tell myself that the men and women in uniform, that meaning all types of uniforms, have a deeper love of this country than any politician in office. When those who serve start abandoning us, then I will start to worry.

Thank you and your family for the sacrifices you have made, I cannot imagine what our country's military families are going through right now.

Prayers and condolences to your son and his friend's family. Such a terrible thing. As a former sailor I'm at a loss as to how it happened because it shouldn't have. My ship was once involved in a collision & emergency breakway during an UnRep (underway replenishment with ships basically "tied" together) which is much more understandable than these latest open sea collisions and yet an unrep collision happens with less frequency than these open sea collisions lately. Fair winds, following seas.